We nine friends have sustained each other through ups and downs in our lives.

One of the Nine, CAFOB (California friend of blogger) is staying with us for a few days. Another of the Nine, NYFOB (New York City friend of blogger) emailed about what CAFOB was up to. I emailed back that CAFOB was staying downtown some place that night.

NYFOB was soooo right: I failed in my obligation to question her comings and goings with the detail and precision (and techniques) of a seasoned New York detective.

There are some rules we Nine live by: “you do it, you live with it” and “if you want to dance, you pay the fiddler” (both courtesy of the now much-mellowed DCFOB (DC friend of blogger).

In other words, CAFOB had a responsibility to spill her guts and break all confidences about the — hmmm — liaison. And it was my responsibility to enforce the rules.

Utter and total failure. I am sensing a group visit and intervention being planned.

Luckily, POB (partner of blogger) was available and got the whole story. POB says to CAFOB, “You have a choice: you tell the Nine or I will tell the Nine. Choose wisely.” Sad things can wait; juicy gossip among us must be revealed with great dispatch.

I love that POB enforces the laws of the Nine if I am not around. POB is a true life partner.